Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91340 about?

Accepted Answer

You need to pick a design movement or era (like Modernism, Bauhaus, or the 1960s), study how its design characteristics work, and then use what you've learned to create your own design ideas. Your work should show a clear link between the historical movement and the new designs you come up with.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91340?

Accepted Answer

1. Describe the design elements used in your chosen movement or era (like colour, shape, balance, proportion) 2. Identify the social factors that influenced that movement or era (cultural, historical, technological, or societal reasons) 3. Generate your own design ideas that clearly show you've incorporated characteristics from the movement or era 4. Explain how the movement's characteristics are linked to your design ideas, showing your thinking

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91340?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You describe design elements and social factors from a movement or era, and create design ideas that show you've used some of those characteristics. Merit: You explain the design elements that define the movement or era, and your design ideas clearly demonstrate how you've deliberately linked the movement's characteristics to your own work. Excellence: Your design ideas show that you've deeply understood and woven the movement's characteristics into your own designs in a sophisticated, natural way.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91340?

Accepted Answer

1. Not clearly linking the historical movement to your own design ideas — examiners need to see you deliberately applying what you've learned, not just copying it 2. Describing the movement in isolation without showing how its characteristics actually shaped your designs 3. Choosing a design movement or era but not researching the social context (culture, history, technology) that influenced it

Design movements

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